International travel can make a profound impact on those who yearn to see more and do more. But did you know international travel can actually promote happiness in the rest of your life? If you havenâ€™t traveled internationally yet, here are some good reasons you should take the plunge and explore new cultures.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

International travel will expand your comfort zone. While this might not sound like fun for some people, travel continually asks you to reevaluate your priorities. You will learn a lot about yourself when you travel. Backpack across Europe or drive the Australian coast. These experiences can show you more than you ever imagined and break you out of your zone. While in New Zealand you mightÂ go bungee jumpingÂ (after all, the Kiwis invented it), something you thought youâ€™d never do. Traveling internationally can help you realize your true potential and self.

Disconnect

Disconnect from your everyday life. Re-energize your ambitions. Rekindle a spark for your professional life or romantic relationship. Distance gives perspective in all things. Sometimes this means metaphorical distance, but in this case, you might actually want to visit China, take one huge step back. This can help you look at any stressful situations back home objectively. Hike the Great Wall of China,Â visit GuilinÂ for the best Karst landscapes and meet new and exciting people. Arrive home and tackle your life head on and recharged.

Surprise Yourself

While bungee jumping in New Zealand was an adrenaline rush, driving in a foreign country, like Great Britain, is much more dangerous. If you want mobility in your travels, then a car is your best bet. Make sure youÂ know the rules of the roadÂ â€” particularly which side of the road to drive on so youâ€™re international adventure isnâ€™t bogged down by costly traffic citations. When you navigate these bureaucratic agencies and finally set off on the road in England or Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, itâ€™s proof you can handle yourself in a foreign country. This confidence will carry over to your life back home once you return.

Acceptance

New cultures will constantly surprise you. It probably wonâ€™t always be comfortable. Whether you find yourself at a horse barbecue in South Korea, served grubs or large grasshoppers in Thailand, or watch a family of seven all climb onto a single motorcycle while youâ€™re in Nepal, youâ€™ll find yourself accepting things you would have taken issue with just weeks before. When you can accept the way things are, instead of stressing about how you wish things were, youâ€™ll relax and simply go with the flow of life. Youâ€™ll become more open to suggestions and so easier going.

Have Fun Anywhere

While travel has many rewards, it comes with its own bevy of stresses. Missed trains or flights are just the beginning. A mix up in lodge reservations can leave you without a bed for a night. A broken down train can mean you’re stranded in the station overnight, and youâ€™ll learn and relearn the navigation of every place you visit. While this can be stressful, youâ€™ll learn you can enjoy anything. If you get lost when on the search for your hostel, youâ€™ll see some parts of the city you wouldnâ€™t have otherwise. A night spent in the train station might lead you to meet someone youâ€™d never have enjoyed the company of if that train hadnâ€™t been delayed. Youâ€™ll learn how you can enjoy every moment. Even the hard ones.

I’m adding this post more as a reminder to myself of the restaurants I’d like to be sure and visit now that we’re in Nashville. Since my goal will be to share my experiences at the restaurants after I go to them, there are a few restaurants on here that I have already visited. Those will be noted and if I’ve written a review about them, I’ll link to those.

If there’s a restaurant you recommend that’s not on the list, be sure and add it in the comments. If you happen to own a restaurant and you’d like me to add your location to my list, feel free to leave those suggestions in the comments as well.

Planning to hit the road for the entire summer? You’ll need the right vehicle to travel in style.

There are many times where I’ve dreamed of a life out on the road, combining living and working and exploring all into one big ball of fun. I’m not so sure my family would agree with my desire to live the life of a traveling nomad though. Tha’s not exactly their idea of the kind of family travel they would enjoy as much as our normal vacations.

I’d imagine actually buying a recreational vehicle would be fun, but you have to have some knowledge about RVs before making a purchase. The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association considers an RV to be a motorized or towable vehicle that has transportation and temporary living quarters for camping, recreation, and travel.

Determining Which Types of Recreational Vehicle You Need

Before you can purchase a recreational vehicle, you have to determine which type youâ€™ll need. What will it be used for? How often will you use it? How many people will be traveling in it? What will you be taking along with you? This will help you determine the size, amenities, and flexibility that you need in an RV. Some RVs come with all the amenities of a hotel, while others simply provide glorified camping amenities. What you’ll be using the RV for will determine how much you’ll need to spend and whether or not you’ll also need to purchase a pickup truck.

5 Things to Know About Recreational Vehicles

Visit a specialty dealer (an RV dealer) rather than a car dealer; car dealers don’t typically sell RVs and even if they do, they won’t be knowledgeable enough to help you make a good decision. RVs can be purchased either new or used.

Motorhomes are motorized recreational vehicles that offers both transportation and living quarters. Various sizes and styles are available, from van-sized campers to luxury RVs. A variety of amenities can be included in a motorhome.

Towable recreation vehicles are travel trailers, truck campers, and sport utility recreational vehicles. As with motorhomes, there are various sizes and styles of towable recreational vehicles.

Motorized recreational vehicles are more expensive than towable vehicles. However, the perk of a motorhome is that you don’t need a separate vehicle to get it around.

Towable vehicles typically require a pickup truck, which is a major consideration if you don’t already own a truck.

Looking for more information about recreational vehicles? Find more here.